Williams-Farmer ticket claims large fundraising haul for end of 2010

In an e-mail blast to supporters, the Republican gubernatorial ticket of David Williams and Richie Farmer claims to have raised $753,196 by the end of 2010, despite not starting fundraising efforts until after the 2010 elections.

The Williams campaign says the funds include donations from all 120 counties in Kentucky and more than 1,000 donors, as well as a $100,000 loan from Williams to the campaign. The total was boosted by a $500,000 fundraising haul in the first two weeks of the Williams campaign’s efforts.

According to the e-mail, the Williams campaign says it’s taking in greater contributions than gubernatorial challengers in past years.

“Historically, the Williams-Farmer campaign is outpacing other non-incumbent gubernatorial campaigns during comparable periods,” the e-mail reads. “At the same time in 2003, Republican Ernie Fletcher had raised $509,360. During the same year, Democrat Ben Chandler had raised $268,500. In 2007, Democrat Steve Beshear reported raising $219,019 before January 1.”

The Williams-Farmer campaign says it will file its finance report today. The deadline to file is Thursday.